COVID-19 Cicada Variant Detected in Many Countries, Here are the Symptoms to Watch Out for

JAKARTA - The Cicada variant of COVID-19 is now getting more attention, because it has been detected in more than 20 countries and has a high number of mutations. The variant with the code BA.3.2 is currently being monitored by the world health authorities due to its potential for spread.

Quoted from USA Today, on Monday, March 30, 2026, the variant was reported to have been found in around 22 countries, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and a number of countries in Europe.

In the United States, the variant has even been detected in many areas. Including through monitoring of waste samples used to track the spread of the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called the variant one to watch, as it showed an increase in cases in routine monitoring.

"Monitoring the spread of BA.3.2 provides important information regarding its ability to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccination," the CDC wrote.

Meanwhile, the name Cicada is used because the variant was not detected for a long time, before finally reappearing. This variant was first discovered in South Africa in November 2024 in respiratory tract samples.

For some time, the case was only recorded in a small number in the genetic monitoring database, before finally increasing in 2025 to early 2026. Experts say this variant has about 70 to 75 mutations, a higher number than previous variants such as JN.1.

However, despite having many mutations, the symptoms of the Cicada variant are reported to be not much different from the previous COVID-19. The symptoms are generally as follows.

- Fever- Cough- Fatigue- Headache- Muscle pain- Cold- Loss of sense of smell or taste- Severe sore throat

"It's a shame I haven't seen data showing this variant is more severe than the variants currently circulating," said National Foundation for Infectious Disease (NFID) medical director, Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr.

Experts say the large number of mutations in this variant could affect the ability of vaccines to prevent infection. However, the vaccines currently available are still considered capable of protecting against severe symptoms and the risk of death.